The overall health of the world’s coral reefs are in decline. Overfishing, rising temperatures and pollution are all negatively affecting one of the oldest and most stable ecosystems on our planet. Although many organizations are focused on rebuilding the reefs, there is an untapped potential available. The global reef aquarium market is currently valued at over $5 billion dollars annually. The Covid-19 pandemic brought a rise in companion owners and increased the number of hobbyists maintaining their own saltwater aquariums at home. These hobbyists have been successful at maintaining and caring for a coral reef biome in their own homes for years. They spend thousands of dollars purchasing the right salt, life support, lighting systems and more. These hobbyists are part of online communities that share their successes, support each other’s failures and push the limits of what is possible in a closed aquarium system.
At the Marine Science Magnet High School (MSMHS), located in Groton, CT, teachers work to connect the ideas of coral reef conservation and the business of the saltwater industry. Students work in the school’s 20,000 gallon aquaculture facility where they gain skills in all aspects of aquaculture. Specific to reef keeping, students learn how to propagate corals, maintain a reef aquarium, and photograph various aquatic organisms. Additionally, MSMHS students operate a wholesale business by propagating specific species of coral, speaking with stores throughout the Northeast and providing organisms for the aquarium trade market.
Funds raised from the sale of coral are used to support the school’s aquaculture facility, provide financial scholarships for undergraduate studies, and hire alumni to return to MSMHS for work. This model can be used for a number of other educational institutions and can be scaled appropriately. The work allows for significant opportunities to unlock environmental secrets that have been out of reach by the scientific community. Educating students on both coral aquaculture and business, bridges the gap between conservation and profitability, improves the educational experience and ultimately creates a more sustainable environment.